System and method for generating a visual indicator to identify a location of a ceiling mounted loudspeaker

ABSTRACT

A system and method are described herein for generating a visual indicator in a loudspeaker to identify a location of the loudspeaker in a room, the system and method comprising: at least two loudspeaker assemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audio signals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at least one loudspeaker; at least one processor communicatively coupled to each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies; an input device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and a memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute a method that comprises: receiving an input from the input device at the at least one processor, the input indicating which one of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies to identify a location thereof; generating a message to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commands and data to generate a visual indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; and generating the visual indicator according to the message at the indicated loudspeaker assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Related subject matter is disclosed in co-pending U.S. Non-provisionalpatent applications Serial No's. XX/YYY,ZZZ (attorney docket numberCP00544-00), XX/YYY,ZZZ (attorney docket number CP00544-01), XX/YYY,ZZZ(attorney docket number CP00544-02), XX/YYY,ZZZ (attorney docket numberCP00544-04). XX/YYY,ZZZ (attorney docket number CP00544-05), andXX/YYY,ZZZ (attorney docket number CP00544-06), each of which were filedJuly XX, 2022, the entire contents of all of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The embodiments described herein relate generally to loudspeakers, andmore specifically to systems, methods, and modes for generating a visualindicator to identify a location of a ceiling mounted loudspeaker in anaudio distribution system.

Background Art

The rise in hybrid work has placed increasing demands on the level ofreliability expected of business audio systems. Simultaneously, theaudio market has become ever-more sophisticated. While this increasingsophistication offers new features for customers, the modern audiodistribution network is more challenging than ever to successfullyinstall.

Audio systems can include audio signal sources and receivers,amplifiers, digital signal processors, internet or other networkinterfaces, cabling, and loudspeakers. While many enterprise systems(audio, environmental, lighting, shading, and the like) require carefulinstallation, audio systems present unique challenges. These challengesinclude the distributed nature of the system, and the potential forlatent, hard-to-troubleshoot issues, among others.

There are numerous issues that can be encountered when installingtraditional loudspeakers. The standard architecture currently employedby the industry requires a field installer to run speaker wire betweenamplifier outputs and speakers. This requires a wire stripper, aspecific type of wire (i.e., speaker wire) and an installer with somedegree of specialized familiarity with speaker installations. Inaddition to the added work and complexity, the inherent nature ofspeaker wire installation opens the possibility for human error. If theinstaller were to accidentally flip the polarity of the speaker wire,the result would be a loudspeaker 180° out-of-phase from the source.While potentially immediately evident in a multi-speaker system, thismistake would likely go undetected in a single-speaker setup. In such ascenario, the latent issue might not emerge until a later point in timewhen the space is upgraded to include additional speakers. Thedestructive interference between the two out-of-phase audio sourcesresult would result in degraded performance. That the original error wasmade months or potentially years prior, likely by another installer,would make it difficult and time-intensive to troubleshoot.

Still more challenges arise when one considers loudspeakers that includean integrated amplifier, hereafter referred to as active loudspeakers.Such devices can receive power and audio streams through standardinterfaces (e.g., RJ45); some embodiments of Active Loudspeakers mayadditionally transmit speaker-level audio on similarly common-placeconnectors. Given the large amount of equipment located in a modernoffice, it is entirely possible for the installer to accidentallyconnect an Active Loudspeakers to a piece of unrelated equipment (e.g.,a projector). If unmitigated, a miswiring of this nature can destroy oneor both pieces of equipment. Further challenges include the sheer numberof audio zones found in a modern office building; as the number of zonesincrease, it becomes increasingly important for the installer to easilycorrelate digital IDs with physical speakers. A final challenge includesmaximizing system audio volume per the power constraints associated withany given installation; power steering and manipulation of the audiostream must be implemented to get the most volume out of a given powerscheme (e.g., IEEE802.3af versus IEEE802.3at).

Accordingly, a need has arisen for systems, methods, and modes forgenerating a visual indicator to identify a location of a ceilingmounted loudspeaker in an audio distribution system.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the embodiments to substantially solve at least theproblems and/or disadvantages discussed above, and to provide at leastone or more of the advantages described below.

It is therefore a general aspect of the embodiments to provide systems,methods, and modes for generating a visual indicator to identify alocation of a ceiling mounted loudspeaker in an audio distributionsystem that will obviate or minimize problems of the type previouslydescribed.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Further features and advantages of the aspects of the embodiments, aswell as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, aredescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.It is noted that the aspects of the embodiments are not limited to thespecific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presentedherein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

According to a first aspect of the embodiments, a system for generatinga visual indicator in a loudspeaker to identify a location of theloudspeaker in a room is provided, comprising: at least two loudspeakerassemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audiosignals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at leastone loudspeaker; at least one processor communicatively coupled to eachof the at least two loudspeaker assemblies; an input devicecommunicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and a memoryoperatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein thememory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed bythe at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to executea method that comprises: receiving an input from the input device at theat least one processor, the input indicating which one of the at leasttwo loudspeaker assemblies to identify a location thereof; generating amessage to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeaker assembly, whereinthe message contains commands and data to generate a visual indicator inthe indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting the message to theindicated loudspeaker assembly; and generating the visual indicatoraccording to the message at the indicated loudspeaker assembly.

According to the first aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly communicatively coupled in parallel to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the first aspect of the embodiments, the first and secondloudspeaker assemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each of whichcontain at least one amplifier.

According to the first aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly communicatively coupled in series to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the first aspect of the embodiments, the first loudspeakerassembly is an active loudspeaker assembly and comprises at least oneamplifier for amplifying audio signals prior to broadcast by the atleast one loudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeaker assembly is apassive loudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audio from theactive loudspeaker assembly.

According to the first aspect of the embodiments, each of the at leastone loudspeakers in the first and second loudspeaker assemblies arebalanced mode radiator loudspeakers.

According to the first aspect of the embodiments, the method furthercomprises: generating a message to be transmitted to the indicatedloudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commands and data togenerate an audio indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly;transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; andplaying the audio indicator according to the message at the indicatedloudspeaker assembly.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments, a method for generatinga visual indicator in a loudspeaker to identify a location of theloudspeaker in a room is provided, wherein the room contains at leasttwo loudspeaker assemblies, the method comprising: receiving an inputfrom an input device at at least one processor, the at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to each of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies, and a memory operatively connected with the atleast one processor, wherein the memory stores computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to execute the method, and wherein the inputindicates which one of at least two loudspeaker assemblies to identify alocation thereof; generating a message to be transmitted to theindicated loudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commandsand data to generate a visual indicator in the indicated loudspeakerassembly; transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeakerassembly; and generating the visual indicator according to the messageat the indicated loudspeaker assembly.

According to the second aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in parallel to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the second aspect of the embodiments, the first and secondloudspeaker assemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each of whichcontain at least one amplifier.

According to the second aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprise: a first and second loudspeaker assemblycommunicatively coupled in series to the at least one processor.

According to the second aspect of the embodiments, the first loudspeakerassembly is an active loudspeaker assembly and comprises at least oneamplifier for amplifying audio signals prior to broadcast by the atleast one loudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeaker assembly is apassive loudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audio from theactive loudspeaker assembly.

According to the second aspect of the embodiments, each of the at leastone loudspeakers in the first and second loudspeaker assemblies arebalanced mode radiator loudspeakers.

According to the second aspect of the embodiments, the method furthercomprises: generating a message to be transmitted to the indicatedloudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commands and data togenerate an audio indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly;transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; andplaying the audio indicator according to the message at the indicatedloudspeaker assembly.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments, an audio distributionsystem (ADS) is provided, comprising: at least two loudspeakerassemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audiosignals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at leastone loudspeaker; and an audio distribution system (ADS) controller, theADS controller comprising: at least one processor communicativelycoupled to each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies; an inputdevice communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and amemory operatively connected with the at least one processor, whereinthe memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executedby the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor toexecute a method that comprises: receiving an input from the inputdevice at the at least one processor, the input indicating which one ofthe at least two loudspeaker assemblies to identify a location thereof;generating a message to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeakerassembly, wherein the message contains commands and data to generate avisual indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting themessage to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; and generating the visualindicator according to the message at the indicated loudspeakerassembly.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, the system furthercomprises: an external audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADScontroller, the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signalsto the ADS controller to be broadcast through at least one of the atleast two loudspeaker assemblies; and a network server communicativelycoupled to the ADS controller and a network, the network server adaptedto receive messages through the network, the messages comprising audioinformation to be broadcast through at least one of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in parallel to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, the first and secondloudspeaker assemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each of whichcontain at least one amplifier.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in series to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, the first loudspeakerassembly is an active loudspeaker assembly and comprises at least oneamplifier for amplifying audio signals prior to broadcast by the atleast one loudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeaker assembly is apassive loudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audio from theactive loudspeaker assembly.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, each of the at leastone loudspeakers in the first and second loudspeaker assemblies arebalanced mode radiator loudspeakers.

According to the third aspect of the embodiments, the method furthercomprises: generating a message to be transmitted to the indicatedloudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commands and data togenerate an audio indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly;transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; andplaying the audio indicator according to the message at the indicatedloudspeaker assembly.

According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments, an audio distributionsystem (ADS) is provided, comprising: at least two loudspeakerassemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audiosignals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at leastone loudspeaker; and a personal computer (PC) communicatively coupled tothe ADS, and wherein the personal computer comprises: at least one PCprocessor communicatively coupled to each of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies; a PC input device communicatively coupled to theat least one PC processor; and a PC memory operatively connected withthe at least one PC processor, wherein the PC memory storescomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least onePC processor, causes the at least one PC processor to execute a methodthat comprises: receiving an input from the PC input device at the atleast one PC processor, the input indicating which one of the at leasttwo loudspeaker assemblies to identify a location thereof; generating amessage to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeaker assembly, whereinthe message contains commands and data to generate a visual indicator inthe indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting the message to theindicated loudspeaker assembly; and generating the visual indicatoraccording to the message at the indicated loudspeaker assembly.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, the system furthercomprises: an external audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADScontroller, the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signalsto the ADS controller to be broadcast through at least one of the atleast two loudspeaker assemblies; and a network server communicativelycoupled to the ADS controller and a network, the network server adaptedto receive messages through the network, the messages comprising audioinformation to be broadcast through at least one of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in parallel to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, the first and secondloudspeaker assemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each of whichcontain at least one amplifier.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in series to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, the first loudspeakerassembly is an active loudspeaker assembly and comprises at least oneamplifier for amplifying audio signals prior to broadcast by the atleast one loudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeaker assembly is apassive loudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audio from theactive loudspeaker assembly.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, each of the at leastone loudspeakers in the first and second loudspeaker assemblies arebalanced mode radiator loudspeakers.

According to the fourth aspect of the embodiments, the method furthercomprises: generating a message to be transmitted to the indicatedloudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commands and data togenerate an audio indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly;transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; andplaying the audio indicator according to the message at the indicatedloudspeaker assembly.

According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments, an audio distributionsystem (ADS) is provided, comprising: at least two loudspeakerassemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audiosignals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at leastone loudspeaker; and a mobile device (MD) communicatively coupled to theADS, and wherein the MD comprises: at least one MD processorcommunicatively coupled to each of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies; a MD input device communicatively coupled to the at leastone MD processor; and a MD memory operatively connected with the atleast one MD processor, wherein the MD memory stores computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the at least one MD processor,causes the at least one MD processor to execute a method that comprises:receiving an input from the MD input device at the at least one MDprocessor, the input indicating which one of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies to identify a location thereof; generating amessage to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeaker assembly, whereinthe message contains commands and data to generate a visual indicator inthe indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting the message to theindicated loudspeaker assembly; and generating the visual indicatoraccording to the message at the indicated loudspeaker assembly.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the system furthercomprises: an external audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADScontroller, the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signalsto the ADS controller to be broadcast through at least one of the atleast two loudspeaker assemblies; and a network server communicativelycoupled to the ADS controller and a network, the network server adaptedto receive messages through the network, the messages comprising audioinformation to be broadcast through at least one of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in parallel to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the first and secondloudspeaker assemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each of whichcontain at least one amplifier.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in series to the at least oneprocessor.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the first loudspeakerassembly is an active loudspeaker assembly and comprises at least oneamplifier for amplifying audio signals prior to broadcast by the atleast one loudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeaker assembly is apassive loudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audio from theactive loudspeaker assembly.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, each of the at leastone loudspeakers in the first and second loudspeaker assemblies arebalanced mode radiator loudspeakers.

According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the method furthercomprises: generating a message to be transmitted to the indicatedloudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commands and data togenerate an audio indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly;transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; andplaying the audio indicator according to the message at the indicatedloudspeaker assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the embodiments will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe embodiments with reference to the following figures. Differentaspects of the embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of thedrawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosedherein are to be considered to be illustrative rather than limiting. Thecomponents in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of theaspects of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an audio distribution system thatcan verify the location of one or more active and passive loudspeakerassemblies, verify that a connected passive loudspeaker assembly isproperly connected, and controls the distribution of power to one ormore interconnected active and passive loudspeaker assemblies accordingto aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an active loudspeaker assemblyused in the audio distribution system of FIG. 1 according to aspects ofthe embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a passive loudspeaker assembly andits interconnection to an active loudspeaker assembly as used in theaudio distribution system of FIG. 1 according to aspects of theembodiments.

FIG. 4 is flowchart of a method for setting up the audio distributionsystem shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for using the audio control systemshown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an audio system controller and/oractive loudspeaker controller (herein after collectively referred to as“controller”) suitable to implement the methods of FIGS. 5 and 6 , aswell as other methods, for setting up and operating the audiodistribution system shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of theembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a network system within which thesystem and method for distributing audio using the audio distributionsystem shown in FIG. 1 can be implemented according to aspects of theembodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) with severalinteractive buttons that call our certain functions that are part of awebpage (as illustrated in several instances of screenshots) that isgenerated by the Audio Control System (ACS) Application (App) whenexecuted in memory using one or more processors according to aspects ofthe embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a graphical user interface to operate a “FindExisting ALA-PLA Set(s)” function when “Find Existing ALA-PLA Set(s)”GUI 806 as shown in FIG. 8 is clicked by a user, through use of the ACSApp according to aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a graphical user interface to operate a “VerifyConnection Status” function when “Aural/Visual Identification” GUI 808as shown in FIG. 8 is clicked by a user through use of the ACS Appaccording to aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a graphical user interface to operate a “Run AudioSystem” function when “Run/Operate Audio System” GUI 810 as shown inFIG. 8 is clicked by a user through use of the ACS App according toaspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a graphical user interface to program an activeloudspeaker assembly-passive loudspeaker assembly set using a directassignment power operating mode through use of ACS App according toaspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical user interface generated by the ACS Appwhen the “Map Generate” interactive button shown in FIG. 9 is activatedby a user according to aspects of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive conceptare shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers andregions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.The scope of the embodiments is therefore defined by the appendedclaims. The detailed description that follows is written from the pointof view of a control systems company, so it is to be understood thatgenerally the concepts discussed herein are applicable to varioussubsystems and not limited to only a particular controlled device orclass of devices, such as test system, and more particularly toautomated test systems of a bi-directional audio communication systemfor use with teleconferencing systems.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included inat least one embodiment of the embodiments. Thus, the appearance of thephrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various placesthroughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the sameembodiment. Further, the particular feature, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

The different aspects of the embodiments described herein pertain to thecontext of a systems, methods, and modes for generating a visualindicator to identify a location of a ceiling mounted loudspeaker in anaudio distribution system but is not limited thereto, except as may beset forth expressly in the appended claims.

Crestron Electronics Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturer ofcontrol and automation systems, innovating technology to simplify andenhance modern lifestyles and businesses. Crestron designs,manufactures, and offers for sale integrated solutions to control audio,video, computer, and environmental systems. In addition, the devices andsystems offered by Crestron streamlines technology, improving thequality of life in commercial buildings, universities, hotels,hospitals, and homes, among other locations. Accordingly, the systems,methods, and modes for generating a visual indicator to identify alocation of a ceiling mounted loudspeaker in an audio distributionsystem, can be used in loudspeakers system that can be manufactured byCrestron Electronics Inc., located in Rockleigh, NJ.

Used throughout the specification are several acronyms, the meanings ofwhich are provided as follows:

-   -   3G Third Generation    -   4G Fourth Generation    -   5G Fifth Generation    -   6G Sixth Generation    -   ACS Audio Control System    -   ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter    -   ADS Audio Distribution System    -   ALA Active Loudspeaker Assembly    -   AoIP Audio-over-Internet Protocol    -   AoE Audio over Ethernet    -   API Application Programming Interface    -   App Executable Software Programming Code/Application    -   ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit    -   BIOS Basic Input/Output System    -   BMR Balanced Mode Radiator    -   BT BlueTooth    -   CD Compact Disk    -   C-LED Colored Light Emitting Diode    -   CRT Cathode Ray Tube    -   DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter    -   DSP Digital Signal Processor    -   DVD Digital Video Disk    -   EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory    -   FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array    -   GAN Global Area Network    -   GPS Global Positioning System    -   GUI Graphical User Interface    -   HDD Hard Disk Drive    -   HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface    -   ISP Internet Service Provider    -   LCD Liquid Crystal Display    -   LED Light Emitting Diode Display    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   MED Mobile Electronic Device    -   MODEM Modulator-Demodulator    -   NFC Near Field Communications    -   PC Personal Computer    -   PDF Portable Document Form    -   PED Personal Electronic Device    -   PLA Passive Loudspeaker Assembly    -   PLVC Passive Loudspeaker Verification Circuit    -   PoE Power-over-Ethernet    -   POTS Plain Old Telephone Service    -   PROM Programmable Read Only Memory    -   RAM Random Access Memory    -   ROM Read-Only Memory    -   RW Read/Write    -   TP Twisted Pair    -   USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port    -   UV Ultraviolet Light    -   UVPROM Ultraviolet Light Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory    -   UWB Ultra Wide Band    -   VGA Video Graphics Array    -   Xcvr Transceiver

The following is a list of the elements of the Figures in numericalorder:

-   -   100 PoE Loudspeaker Power Distribution and Audio Sound Quality        Improvement Network (Audio Distribution System (ADS))    -   102 Enterprise Location    -   104 Network System (Internet)    -   106 Ethernet Cable (CAT5; 4 twisted pairs, eight wires total)    -   108 Network Server    -   110 Audio System Controller (ASC)    -   112 Active Loudspeaker Assembly (ALA)    -   114 Passive Loudspeaker Assembly (PLA)    -   116 Conference Room    -   118 Mobile Electronic Device (MED)    -   120 Personal Computer/Laptop (PC)    -   122 External Audio Source (Analog/Digital) [Mic, CD Player,        Turntable; Stereo System. among others)    -   124 Processor    -   126 Memory    -   128 Audio Control System Application (ACS App)    -   204 RJ45 Ethernet Connector (Male/Female)    -   206 Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Extractor Circuit    -   208 Ethernet Transceiver    -   210 Active Loudspeaker Assembly (ALA) Controller    -   212 Digital Signal Processor (DSP)    -   214 Audio Amplifier (Amp)    -   216 Loudspeaker    -   218 Passive Loudspeaker Verification Circuit    -   220 Loudspeaker Assembly Visual Identifier Circuit    -   222 I2S Digital Audio Signal    -   224 Controller Control/Data/Digital Signals    -   226 Analog Audio Signal    -   228 Passive Loudspeaker Assembly (PLA) Connection Status Signal    -   302 Passive Loudspeaker Assembly Verification Resistor (R302)    -   304 Verification Circuit Digital Interface    -   306 Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)    -   308 V_(Status(D))    -   310 Differential Amplifier    -   400 Method for Setting-up Active and Passive Loudspeaker System    -   402-410 Steps of Method 400    -   500 Method for Operating Active and Passive Loudspeaker System    -   502-518 Steps of Method 500    -   601 Shell/Box    -   602 Integrated Display/Touch-Screen (laptop/tablet etc.)    -   604 Internal Data/Command Bus (Bus)    -   606 Processor Internal Memory    -   608 Processor(s)    -   610 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port    -   611 Ethernet Port    -   612 Compact Disk (CD)/Digital Video Disk (DVD) Read/Write (RW)        (CD/DVD/RW) Drive    -   614 Floppy Diskette Drive    -   616 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)    -   618 Read-Only Memory (ROM)    -   620 Random Access Memory (RAM)    -   622 Video Graphics Array (VGA) Port or High Definition        Multimedia Interface (HDMI)    -   624 External Memory Storage Device    -   625 VGA/HDMI Cable    -   626 External Display/Touch-Screen    -   628 Keyboard    -   630 Mouse    -   632 Processor Board/PC Internal Memory (Internal Memory)    -   634 Flash Drive Memory (Storage Media)    -   636 CD/DVD Diskettes (Storage Media)    -   638 Floppy Diskettes (Storage Media)    -   642 Wi-Fi Transceiver    -   644 BlueTooth (BT) Transceiver    -   646 Near Field Communications (NFC) Transceiver    -   648 Third Generation (3G), Fourth Generation (4G), Fifth        Generation (5G), Sixth Generation (6G) Long Term Evolution (LTE)        (3G/4G/5G/6G/LTE) Transceiver    -   650 Communications Satellite/Global Positioning System        (Satellite) Transceiver Device    -   652 Antenna    -   656 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Cable    -   658 Ethernet Cable (CAT5)    -   660 Scanner/Printer/Fax Machine    -   706 Internet Service Provider (ISP)    -   708 Modulator/Demodulator (Modem)    -   710 Wireless Router    -   712 Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) Provider    -   714 Cellular Service Provider    -   718 Communication Satellites    -   720 Cellular Telecommunications Service Tower (Cell Tower)    -   724 GPS Station    -   726 Satellite Communication Systems Control Station    -   728 Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellite    -   800 “Main Menu” Window    -   802 Monitor/Display Screen (Screen)    -   806 “Find Existing ALA-PLA Set(s)” Graphical User Interface        (Find GUI)    -   808 “Aural/Visual Identification” GUI    -   810 “Run/Operate Audio System” GUI    -   812 Inactive Pointer    -   814 Active Pointer    -   900 “Find” Window    -   902 “Name of Audio System” Field    -   904 “Generate Map?” Button    -   906 “Save Button”    -   908 “Edit” Button    -   910 “Display ALA-PLA Names/Addresses” Field    -   912 “Error Reports” Field    -   914 “Return to Main Menu” Button    -   1000 “Aural/Visual Identification” Window    -   1002 “Loudspeaker Assembly” List    -   1004 “Aural Test” Column of Buttons    -   1006 “Visual Test” Column of Buttons    -   1008 “Aural & Visual Test” Column of Buttons    -   1010 “Run Test” Column of Buttons    -   1012 “Pass?” Column of Buttons    -   1014 “Fail?” Column of Buttons    -   1016 “Select ALA-PLA” Field    -   1018 “ALA-PLA” Pull-Down Button    -   1100 “Run Audio System” Window    -   1102 “List of Known IP Based Audio Providers” Field    -   1104 Power Operating Mode Selection Column of Buttons    -   1106 “Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Programs” List    -   1110 “Set-up Power Level(s) for Direct Assignment” Button    -   1200 “Direct Assignment Power Operating Mode Setup” Window    -   1202 “Loudspeaker Located in Selected ALA-PLA” Field    -   1204 “Output Level” Slide Bar    -   1206 “Total Power Remaining in ALA-PLA Set” Window    -   1300 “Selected ALA-PLA Map View” Window    -   1302 “Name of Room” Field    -   1304 Table

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of audio distribution system (ADS)100 that can verify the location of one or more active and passiveloudspeaker assemblies 112, 114, verify that a connected passiveloudspeaker assembly 114 is properly connected, and controls thedistribution of power to one or more interconnected active and passiveloudspeaker assemblies 112, 114 according to aspects of the embodiments.

ADS 100 can be used in an enterprise location 102, such as a corporateentity, a public/private commercial building, a home, a governmentbuilding, among other types of buildings wherein high-quality audiodistribution is desired. ADS 100 interconnects with network system 104through network server 108, and comprises one or more of personalcomputer (PC) 120, mobile electronic device (MED) 118) (which can be acell phone, tablet, laptop, or any other type of electroniccommunication device), ethernet cable (CAT5) 106, audio systemcontroller (ASC) 110, one or more external audio sources 122, one ormore active loudspeaker assemblies (ALA) 112, and one or more passiveloudspeaker assemblies (PLA) 114 according to aspects of theembodiments. ALAs 112 can be installed in their own conference room 116,or ALAs 112 can be paired with one or more PLAs 114 in a conference room116. As shown in FIG. 1 , there are three conference rooms 116 a,b,c,and the first two conference rooms have a pair of ALAs 112 and PLA 114,while conference room 116 c contains ALA 112 and four PLAs 114 a-d. InADS 100, an ALA 112 can stand alone, or can be paired with up topractically any number of PLAs 114; however, in ADS 100 PLA 114 isgenerally not used alone as it does not include any amplificationcircuitry, though aspects of the embodiments can include this feature ifdesired.

In installing ADS 100, installers would locate ASC 110 in a locationthat is network accessible via ethernet cable 106, or via a wirelessconnection (not shown), via WiFi or some other wireless medium. ASC 110can receive remotely located commands and/or audio through networkserver 108 and network system 104. PC 120 can be in the form of desktopcomputer, laptop, tablet, personal digital assistant, or practicallyanother type of computing device that has processor 124, memory 126, anda copy of audio control system (ACS) application (App) 128 stored inmemory 126. Thus, MED 118 can also store a copy of ACS App 128, and cancommunicate via Bluetooth, WiFi, near field communications (NFC),ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies with ACS 110 according to aspects ofthe embodiments. External audio sources 122 can also be connected to ASC110 via hardwired or wireless interfaces, and can provide audio such asmusic or voice (via a microphone, not shown). External audio source 122can include an analog or digital stereo, radio, compact disk player,turntable, mic/public announcement system, among other sources of audio.

In FIG. 1 there are shown three conference rooms 116 a-c in enterpriselocation 102, although such is not to be taken in a limiting manner, asmost enterprise locations will have more than three conference rooms.When installing ADS 100, each of ALA 112 and PLA 114 are designed to beinstalled in a standard 2′×4′ ceiling tile location. In addition, ALA112 is connected to ASC 110 via ethernet cable 106, which is a CAT5Ethernet cable, as the audio signal is transmitted digitally usingAudio-over-Internet protocol (AoIP). If, in the particular location thatALA 112 is installed, the system designers decide to also install one ormore PLAs 114, each of those are connected to ALA 112 using ethernetcable 106 as well. According to aspects of the embodiments, and asdescribed in greater detail below in regard to FIGS. 3 and 4 , use ofethernet cable 106 properly identifies the connected device as a passiveloudspeaker assembly and provides ACS App 128 the ability todifferentiate PLAs 114 from other types of devices that happen to haveEthernet connectors, but which are not loudspeakers.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a block diagramof ALA 112 used in ADS 100 according to aspects of the embodiments. ALA112 comprises a shell/case to contain the elements of ALA 112,Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) extractor circuit 206, Ethernet transceiver208, digital signal processor (DSP) 212, one or more audio amplifiers(Amp(s)) 214, loudspeaker 216, loudspeaker assembly visual identifiercircuit 220, and optionally, passive loudspeaker verification circuit(PLVC) 218. While PLVC 218 is optional in the sense that a passiveloudspeaker does not necessarily need to be used with an activeloudspeaker, it would generally be the case that ALA 112 would bemanufactured with at least one if not several ports for PLAs 114 to beinterconnected to ALA 112, with each port including a separate Amp 214,and PLVC 218 according to aspects of the embodiments.

ALA 112, and any other active device that relies on ALA 112, can bereferred to as a “powered device” or PD, and from which it derives itspower from a power sourcing equipment (PSE) that provides PoE.

ALA 112 is an “active” device in that it contains all the circuitry andcomponents needed to receive AoIP signals, as well as other IP basedmessages, process received AoIP and other IP signals, convert thedigital audio signals to an analog signal and amplify them (using aClass-D amplifier, though that need not necessarily be the case, in thata separate digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can be included and adifferent type of amplifier used), and process the digital audio signalsusing a DSP (although, some/all of the DSP functions can be implementedusing analog circuitry, but which are not shown). In addition, ALA 112further comprises PLVC 218 that includes active circuitry to process theverification signal from a correctly connected PLA 114, and transmit anoutput to ALA controller 210. ALA controller 210 can further receive IPcommands and instructions, as well as the AoIP signals, and process allof the signals, and report back status information to ASC 110 accordingto aspects of the embodiments. ALA controller 210 outputs AoIP signals(i.e., audio data) to DSP 212 as a I2S digital audio signal 222, thoughother forms of transmitting audio data are possible in either or bothdigital and analog form. According to further aspects of theembodiments, use of ethernet cable 106 and PLVC 218 ensures that thepolarity of the signals output from Amps 214 are not swapped wheninterconnecting different PLAs 114 to ALA 112; it is entirely possiblethat if such ethernet cable 106 and PLVC 218 were not used, a first andsecond PLA 114 could be connected with their polarities opposite to thatof each other, and audio dropouts could occur in some locations becausethe audio output from the two different PLAs 114 would be 180° out ofphase with each other. Other advantages include that special equipmentis not needed to cut and strip speaker wires.

IP signals are transmitted from ASC 110 and received by Ethernettransceiver 208, and IP signals can be transmitted by Ethernettransceiver 208 and received by ASC 110. The bi-directional IP signalscan contain AoIP signals, status signals, command and control signals,and the like. Power is extracted from ethernet cable 106 (CAT5 Ethernetcable) by PoE extractor circuit 206 and provided to all of the activecircuitry in ALA 112, including audio Amps 214. ALA controller 210extracts the digital audio signals from the AoIP signals and providesthe same to DSP 212. According to aspects of the embodiments, audiosignals are transported to ADS 100 as ethernet signals, which arereceived by Ethernet transceiver 208, output to ALA controller 210,which decodes the ethernet audio packets, converts them to I2S and sendsit to DSP 212. DSP 212 provides equalization, bass boosting and othersignal processing functions before passing the audio along to Amps 214.DSP 212 processes the digital audio signals according to a stored set ofparameters, or can be actively controller by a user of ADS 100 via ASC110 and ACS App 128 according to aspects of the embodiments. That is,upon initialization of ADS 100, DSP 212 can have pre-loaded parametersfor processing audio signals, which can be selected manually when audiois present or about to be present, or one of the one or more pre-loadedparameters can automatically set to be used as soon DSP 212 is poweredup.

The output of DSP 212 is transmitted to one or more Amps 214. If in theconference room 116 or the area that ADS 100 is being used there is onlyneed for one loudspeaker, then there would be only one loudspeaker 216connected to a respective Amp 214. For large areas, however, or for morecomplete audio coverage, an ALA 112 and one or more PLAs 114 can beused. For the purposes of this discussion, it will be presumed that thesetup is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , for conference room 116 c;that is, one ALA 112 and three PLAs 114 a-d. According to aspects of theembodiments, there is practically no limit to the number of amplifiersthat can be connected to the output of DSP 212 other than physicalconstraints such as current output, heat sink requirements, and thelike.

According to aspects of the embodiments, the output of DSP 212 is analogaudio signal 226 and is input to one or more Amps 214. Amp 214 a isconnected to loudspeaker 216; in this case, a balanced mode radiator(BMR) loudspeaker, though that need not necessarily be the case.Furthermore, each of the loudspeakers in each PLA 114 can also be BMRloudspeakers, as shown in FIG. 4 . BMR technology allows for aconsiderably broader dispersion angle and therefore permits a givenloudspeaker to cover a broader region of a room 116.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, ADS 100 can locate eachALA 112 (and PLA 114) via a visual indicator and an aural signal (or anaudio indicator. Such audio indicator and/or or aural signal (describedbelow as a pre-stored sound signal) can be in the form of a tone, aplurality of tones (of the same or different amplitudes), a voice (realor simulated), a plurality of voices (any combination of real orsimulated voices), a song or a sample of a song, a natural sound (suchas a bird singing, water in a brook, beach, rain storm, lightning, rockshitting each other, and the like), artificially/computer generatedsounds, real or artificial instruments, mechanical sounds (e.g.,engines, machines, and the like), among other types of sounds.

In regard to the former, a signal can be generated and transmitted fromASC 110 in response to an input from user (whom can be either locally orremotely located) to MED 118, PC 120 or as a direct input to ASC 110,all in use with ACS App 128. That is, in response to an input from theuser, ACS App 128 generates a command that is transmitted from ASC 110through ethernet cable 106 to a particular ALA 112 (or PLA 114).According to aspects of the embodiments, and as described in greaterdetail below, upon configuration, each ALA 112 and PLA 114 is “found” byASC 110 and its internal IP address noted. In addition, a descriptioncan be added in a “notes” section that describes the physical locationof each ALA 112 and PLA 114 (e.g., “ALA 112 a is located directly infront of the podium at the South end of the board room”). Once such alist is generated, a user can refer to it and generate the visualindicator command for the particular ALA 112 and/or PLA 114 and a visualindication will be generated for either a predetermined period of time,or for a programmed period of time. Such visual indicator commands arereceived by ALA controller 210, which then generates a signaltransmitted as controller control/data/digital signals 224 toloudspeaker assembly visual identifier circuit 220, which displays thevisual indication for the predetermined period of time. Loudspeakerassembly visual identifier circuit 220 can be one or more light emittingdiodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or other type of lightgenerating device/display. In FIG. 2 , loudspeaker assembly visualidentifier circuit 220 is shown to comprise C-LED₁, which can be a redcolored LED, and CLED₂, which can be a blue colored LED. In asubstantially similar manner, ALA controller 210 can also generate anaural signal to be broadcast from loudspeaker 216 on each of ALA 112,PLA 114 as selected by the user. That is, the user can select “AuralIdentification” in ACS App 128 and ASC 110 will generate a command thatincludes a pre-stored sound signal that will be broadcast by theselected ALA 112, or PLA 114, in a substantially similar manner as thatas the visual identification signal. According to further aspects of theembodiments, each ALA 112 and PLA 114 can have their own unique visualidentification signal and/or unique aural identification signal assignedto them.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, each PLA 114 isconnected to the output of an Amp 214 via ethernet cable 106, which isan Ethernet CAT5 cable with 4 twisted pairs (TP) of conductors, thedetails of which are shown in FIG. 3 . Two of the conductors in ethernetcable 106 that connects ALA 112 to PLA 114 are dedicated towardsdetection of a passive loudspeaker assembly such that other types ofEthernet devices are not inadvertently connected to ALA 112 (andconsequently to the output of Amp 214 x). Detection of a properlyconnected PLA 114 is show and discussed in regard to FIG. 4 , describedin greater detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of PLA 114 and its interconnection toALA 112 as used in ADS 100 as shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects ofthe embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 it can be seen that digitalaudio signals routed to ALA 112 in conference room 116 by ASC 110 arealso distributed to PLAs 114 a-c via ethernet cables 106 a-c, each ofwhich comprise four twisted pairs (TPs). FIG. 2 illustrates, in part, ananalog audio signal output portion in which the output of DSP 212 istransmitted to Amp 214 a, the output of which is connected to BMRloudspeaker 216. The analog output of DSP 212 is also sent to Amps 214b-d, the outputs of which are connected to PLAs 114 a-c, respectively(not shown) via ethernet cables 106 a-c, respectively. Attention is nowdirected to Amp 214 b, ethernet cable 106 a, and PLA 114 a shown in FIG.3 .

In FIG. 3 , ethernet cable 106 a is shown to have four TPs of lines. Twoof the twisted pairs, in this case TP1 and TP2, provide an electricalconnection between the output of Amp 214 a and the loudspeaker 216. Twosets of TPs are used in parallel to minimize transmission losses andthereby maximize power delivered to the loudspeaker; other embodimentshowever could use additional conductors in parallel or, only use asingle pair of conductors. The conductors are assigned so that each pairis a differential connection, carrying current (from Amp 214 a) to thespeaker on one wire and the associated return-current on its mate; thisapproach is employed to minimize radiated emissions. This need notnecessarily be the case, however. TP3 of ethernet cable 106 a carriesidentification signals (ID1, ID2) to loudspeaker assembly visualidentifier circuit 220 (a bi-color LED, or display of some type, asdescribed above). TP4 is used for both PLA verification and as thereturn for the visual identifiers. According to further aspects of theembodiments, the voltage supplied by Verify can be used by other activecomponents that can be located in PLA 114.

According to aspects of the embodiments, PLVC 218, has been implementedwithin ALA 112 circuit. PLVC 218 reads the value of passive loudspeakerassembly verification resistor 302 (R302) located in PLA 114. By doingso, the ALA is able to determine that the connected device is PLA 114.According to aspects of the embodiments, implementation of PLVC 218provides a low-cost means of securely verifying that a device connectedto ALA 112 is a PLA 114. PLVC 218 comprises simple resistor dividers anda comparator. In operation of PLVC 218, a test voltage is applied toline 7 of TP4 in ethernet cable 106 (the “Verify” line) through blockingdiode D₁. If PLA 114 is present, R302 forms a circuit, allowing aninjection current to pass through resistor R302, diode D2 and resistorR₅ of PLVC 218. The voltage at the node of R₅ and D₂ (V_(status)) can beapproximated by the following equation:

$V_{Status} = \frac{\left( {V_{DD} - {2V_{fwd}}} \right) \times R_{5}}{R_{5} + R_{302}}$

V_(status) is checked against an upper bound and lower bound of voltagemeasurements, V_(UB) and V_(LB), respectively, by comparators Comp₁ andComp₂ (also part of PLVC 218).

$V_{UB} = \frac{V_{DD} \times R_{4}}{R_{3} + R_{4}}$$V_{LB} = \frac{V_{DD} \times R_{2}}{R_{1} + R_{2}}$

The outputs of Comp₁ and Comp₂ are received by verification circuitdigital interface 304 (also part of PLVC 218), which receives theoutputs of the comparators and generates a verification status signal,PLA connection status signal 228, which is then transmitted to DSP 212according to aspects of the embodiments. According to aspects of theembodiments, if V_(status) is between V_(UB) and V_(LB), then PLAconnection status signal 228 reports a good connection between ALA 112and PLA 114, which implies a good cable connected properly. If either ofV_(UB) or V_(LB) is exceeded, then PLA connection status signal 228 willnot report a good connection, i.e., a failed connection, which cansignify a bad ethernet cable 106, or a good or bad ethernet cable 106connected to the wrong piece of electronic equipment.

In ALA 112 there is a PLVC 218 for each PLA connector 204; in thenon-limiting example shown in FIG. 2 there are three such PLVCs 218 a-cfor PLAs 114 a-c, connected to ALA 112 via ethernet cables 106 a-c,respectively. After DSP 212 receives PLA connection status signal 228 ittransmits the same to ASC 110: if PLA connection status signal 228 isgood, meaning V_(status) is within V_(UB) and V_(LB), then ASC 110 willallow audio signals to be transmitted to the respective PLA 114 forwhich the “good” status signal has been received; if the status signalis “bad” or not good, then no audio will be allowed to be transmitted.ASC 110 can inform the user that either an error condition exists orthat no PLA 114 is connected to the respective ALA 112.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, each connector 204 a-c,PLVC 218, and hence PLA connection status signal 228 can include anidentifier so that the user knows exactly which PLA 114 is either in anerror condition, or not connected properly, or inoperative for somereason (e.g., ethernet cable 106 can be improperly wired, or damaged).In this manner a user can be assured that ADS 100 is properly connectedand no mis-wirings exist.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, the comparator-basedimplementation of PLVC 218 can instead be implemented using ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC). That is, Comp1 and Comp2 can insteadbe replaced with an ADC (not shown) that can digitize the voltage valuesand transmit them to verification circuit digital interface 304, whereinlogic can be used to generate PLA connection status signal 228.According to further aspects of the embodiments, resistor R302 can bereplaced with a short. According to further aspects of the embodiments,different values of 8302 can be used to differentiate different types ofpassive speakers (e.g., different makes, models, speaker impedances,etc.); once decoded by PLVC 218, this information can be used to informthe user and/or to automatically adjust DSP 212 tuning parameters tooptimize audio performance. According to further aspects of theembodiments, any combination of these potential implementationsmaintains the ability to ensure positive identification of a valid PLA114, the presence of a valid PLA 114, and/or a bad or missing ethernetcable 106 between ALA 112 and PLA 114.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, PLA connection statussignal 228 can be used by controller 210 to evenly distribute poweramong the different loudspeakers 216 that might be part of a “branch” ofALA 112 and one or more PLAs 114. That is, if there is one ALA 112 andone PLA 114, controller 210 verifies that a correctly connected PLA 114is connected to the ALA 112, and can adjust the power available from PoEextractor circuit 206 by splitting the power available from PoEextractor circuit 206 to Amp 214 a (for loudspeaker 216 a connected toALA 112), and Amp 214 b located in ALA 112, but which goes to PLA 114and its loudspeaker 216 b. The power can be split by either sendingcommands to DSP 212 or to Amps 214 a,b to control their output. In thismanner, the power is split evenly (e.g., about 50% to each of ALA 112and PLA 114), or can be split in any manner desired between the ALA 112loudspeaker 216 a and PLA 114 and its loudspeaker 216 b. If, for somereason, PLA 114 is not properly connected, or a break in ethernet cable106 that connects them occurs, PLA connection status signal 228indicates that no PLA 114 is properly connected and controller 210 canrespond as appropriate; commit 100% of the power available to theexisting loudspeaker 216 a, or some other lesser amount.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, audio signals receivedvia network system 104 can be encrypted using proprietary encryptionmethods, which can then be de-crypted by ACS App 128 in ASC 110. If anunsecured device is detected in ADS 100, ACS App 128 can convert or askall devices in ADS 100 to use unencrypted communications, such asAES-67. AES67 is a technical standard for audio over IP and audio overEthernet (AoE) interoperability. The standard was developed by the AudioEngineering Society and first published in September 2013. It is a layer3 protocol suite based on existing standards and is designed to allowinteroperability between various IP-based audio networking systems.AES67 defines requirements for synchronizing clocks, setting QoSpriorities for media traffic, and initiating media streams with standardprotocols from the Internet protocol suite. AES67 also defines audiosample format and sample rate, supported number of channels, as well asIP data packet size and latency/buffering requirements.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, ASC 110 can disable theanalog inputs of Amps 214 through controller control/data/digitalsignals 224 issued by ALA controller 210 and/or ASC 110. Disabling theanalog inputs to Amp 214 can minimize noise output by unused Amps 214.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, multiple statusindicators can be implemented through the use of analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 306, which digitizes V_(status) signal intoV_(status(D)) 308. ADC 306 can be an n-bit ADC, and as those of skill inthe art can appreciate, can output the digitized data in either a serialor parallel stream of bits. V_(status(D)) 308 can be a separate datasignal, as shown in FIG. 2 , or can be multiplexed with PLA connectionstatus signal 228 as one data signal line input to DSP 212, and DSP 212and/or ALA controller 210 can control the flow of data from PLVC 218;such control and interconnections can be readily understood andappreciate by those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore, infulfillment of the dual purposes of clarity and brevity, a detaileddiscussion thereof has been omitted from herein.

ADC 306 digitizes the voltage status signal, which is the voltage dropacross resistor R302; by changing the value of resistor R302, not onlycan correct interconnection be verified (as described above), butdifferent information can be “encoded” into the value of resistor R302.Optional differential amplifier 310 is shown in FIG. 3 , wherein thevoltage range of the signal input to ADC 306 can be shifted/modified asneeded to ensure suitable resolution by ADC 306, according to aspects ofthe embodiments. Other types of circuits can be used to shift/modify theinput signal as well, or no circuit need be used, as the case may be.

V_(Status) is checked against an upper bound and lower bound of voltagemeasurements, V_(UB) and V_(LB), respectively, by comparators Comp₁ andComp₂ (also part of PLVC 218). Within the range determined byV_(UB)-V_(LB), different V_(status(D)) 308 voltages (as determined byR302, R₁₋₅, and VDD) can provide several facets of information, or“determinations,” as shown in Table I below to the user of ADS 100 andACS App 128. The determinations include: (I) Determining the number ofconnected loudspeakers; (II) Determining loudspeaker impedances; and(III) Determining loudspeaker maximum power handling capabilities. Basedon these determinations, ACS App 128 and/or a user of ADS 100 can thenoperate ADS 100 in one of three power allocation modes: (A) PowerHandling; (B) Intelligent Power Allocation/Steering; and (C) DirectAssignment.

According to aspects of the embodiments, encoding and determiningloudspeaker impedances can be used to factor-in information about thetotal available power. From a practical perspective, input powerinformation would take the form of PoE Class identification (e.g., Class2=3.84 W, Class 3=12.95 W, Class 6=62 W, among others).

As described herein, ALAs 112 are powered by PoE utilizing commonlyavailable circuitry. The maximum input power available to ALA 112, whichcan be referred to as a “PoE-PD” device, will depend on the upstreamequipment, e.g., ASC 110, which can be referred to as a PoE-PSE device.For example, if the upstream equipment (ASC 110) contains an “IEEE802.3at Type 1” PSE device, then ALA 112 can use up-to (but notexceeding) 13 W. If the upstream equipment contains an “IEEE 802.3atType 2” PSE device, then ALA 112 can use up to (but not exceeding) 25 W.If the upstream equipment contains an “IEEE 802.3at Type 3” PSE device,then ALA 112 can use up to (but not exceeding) 51 W. As those of skillin the art can appreciate, PoE extractor circuit 206, found in ALA 112,outputs PoE Type Signal 230 to ALA controller 210 that indicates the“type” of PoE that was negotiated with the PSE (i.e., how much power itis allowed to consume). ALA controller 210 can use that information todefine the maximum power available for its own loudspeakers and for eachof the downstream PLAs 114. Furthermore, knowing the total availablepower, the number of connected loudspeakers and the impedance ofattached loudspeakers in PLAs 114, the device can intelligently anddynamically allocate the power. Allocation schemes can be designed toresult in substantially equal acoustic power for all loudspeakers,substantially equal electrical power, or intentionally skewed. A usercan either program ALA 112, or it can be set to run in a default modepre-determined by the DSP.

As those of skill in the art can appreciate, loudspeakers aremanufactured with a wide array of impedances (e.g., 4Ω, 6Ω, 8Ω, 16Ω).The impedance of a loudspeaker has a significant impact on the powerconsumed by the audio system. For any given amplifier driving voltage, alower impedance loudspeaker will consume more power; this relationshipis substantially linear, meaning that a 4Ω loudspeaker will consume fourtimes the power of a 16Ω loudspeaker. To fully utilize all availableinput power, output levels of the amplifier must be fine-tuned tocompensate for the impedances of the loudspeakers connected to theamplifier outputs. This is particularly important in power-constrainedapplications, such as a PoE-based amplifier.

If an amplifier is designed to deliver a certain amount of power (e.g.,10 watts (or 10 W) to an 8Ω loudspeaker, and a 4Ω loudspeaker is wiredto the amplifier instead, then the amplifier will draw excessive powerfrom the upstream PoE-PSE. The upstream PoE-PSE will observe theexcessive power and enforce the IEEE 802.3 limits, cutting power to theALA. Thus, knowing the impedance of a connected PLA 114 is important topreserve the integrity of ADS 100 and its operation.

The following paragraphs discuss the three determinations enabled by useof V_(status(D)) 308.

-   -   (I) Determination of Number of Connected Loudspeakers. Each        amplifier output has an associated PLA connection circuit (218).        If V_(status) falls within the V_(UB) and V_(LB) limits, the        associated digital signal is generated, indicating the presence        of a valid loudspeaker connection. By counting the number of        valid connections, the ALA can establish the total number of        loudspeakers in that particular installation.    -   (II) Determination of Loudspeaker Impedances. According to        aspects of the embodiments, resistor R302 can be used to encode        loudspeaker impedances. As described above, V_(status) can be        digitized by ADC 306 into V_(status(D)) 308, and in-turn, mapped        onto an associated impedance. By way of non-limiting example, a        4Ω loudspeaker 216 in PLA 114 can be defined as V_(status(D))        308 being equal to 2.2 VDC, a 6Ω loudspeaker 216 can be defined        as V_(status(D)) 308 being equal to about 2.4 VDC, an 8Ω        loudspeaker 216 can be defined as V_(status(D)) 308 being equal        to about 2.6 VDC, and a 16Ω loudspeaker 216 can be defined as        V_(status(D)) 308 being equal to about 2.8 VDC.    -   (III) Determination of Loudspeaker Maximum Power Handling.        According to further aspects of the embodiments, additional        information concerning each of the loudspeakers 216 in PLAs 114        can be encoded into the digitized status voltage V_(status(D))        308. Such information can include power ratings for the        respective loudspeakers in the particular PLA 114. As those of        skill in the art can appreciate, a 4Ω loudspeaker can be rated        to safely handle 10 W, 50 W, or even 100 W. Such power ratings        can be incorporated into the resistor R302— i.e., using a        precision resistor of a predetermined value—to yield different        V_(status(D)) 308 voltages to indicate not only the nominal        impedance, but also the power rating. Table I below illustrates        a non-limiting example of how such information can be encoded        into V_(status(D)) 308:

TABLE I Watts 4Ω 6Ω 8Ω 16Ω 25 2.225 VDC 2.425 VDC 2.625 VDC 2.825 VDC 502.250 VDC 2.450 VDC 2.650 VDC 2.850 VDC 75 2.275 VDC 2.475 VDC 2.675 VDC2.875 VDC 100 2.300 VDC 2.500 VDC 2.700 VDC 2.900 VDC

As can be seen in Table I, a 4Ω loudspeaker 216 that is part of PLA 113,and which has a 25 W power rating can be ascertained by determining thatV_(status(D)) 308 is about 2.225 VDC.

As discussed above, the determinations based on V_(status(D)) 308 can beused to select a power allocation mode for ADS 100, i.e., how power isto be distributed to each loudspeaker 216 in ALAs 112 and PLAs 114.

The first power allocation mode to be addressed is “power handling.” Thepower handling mode of power allocation can be defined as maximizing theamount of power sent to each loudspeaker based on the loudspeakersdetermined maximum power rating. In the power handling mode of powerallocation, ACS App 128 allocates power to each loudspeaker beginningwith the lowest maximum rated power loudspeaker, and then allocatingremaining power to those loudspeakers with higher maximum power ratings.Thus, each loudspeaker in an ALA-PLA set is provided with no more thanits maximum rated power.

By way of a non-limiting example, suppose there are 25 W available and atotal of 3 loudspeakers 216 a,b,c. Loudspeakers 216 a,b are in PLA 114,and each are capable of handling 5 W each (10 W total for PLA 114), andthere is one loudspeaker 216 c in ALA 112, capable of handling 25 W. Inthe power handling mode, 10 W could be sent to PLA 114 to be splitbetween loudspeakers 216 a,b, and 15 W can be sent to loudspeaker 216 cin ALA 112.

The second power allocation mode to be addressed is “intelligent powerallocation/steering.” The intelligent power allocation/steering mode ofoperation can be defined as allocating power substantially equallybetween all the loudspeakers in an ALA-PLA set (up to each loudspeaker'smaximum power rating.

By way of a non-limiting example, suppose there are 25 W available and atotal of 3 loudspeakers 216 a,b,c. Loudspeaker 216 a is in ALA 112, andcapable of handling 25 W. Loudspeakers 216 b,c are in PLA 114, and eachare capable of handling 10 W each (20 W total for PLA 114). Allloudspeakers have an impedance of 8Ω. In the intelligent powerallocation/steering mode, each loudspeaker 216 a,b,c would receive about8.3 W each (25 W/3=8.3 W).

In the intelligent power allocation/steering mode of operation,according to aspects of the embodiments, the audio stream can betailored to result in substantially equal power being delivered todifferent PLAs 114, based on the total number of loudspeakers 216, theirimpedances, and power ratings. In this manner, ACS App 128 can maximizevolume/sound level for any given installation configuration.

By way of a non-limiting example, suppose there are 25 W available and atotal of 2 loudspeakers 216 a,b. In this case, the speakers havedissimilar impedances. Loudspeaker 216 a is in ALA 112 and has animpedance of 8Ω. Loudspeaker 216 b is in PLA 114 and has an impedance of4Ω. The goal of the intelligent power allocation/steering mode is todeliver equal power to the two dissimilar loudspeakers—in this case 12.5W each (25 W/2=12.5 W). Given that the impedances are dissimilar, theClass-D amplifier will need to drive them with different voltages toachieve equal power output. The equation that defines this relationshipis:

V _(Class-D(output))=√(P _(loudspeaker) R _(loudspeaker-imp))

As a result, the Class-D amplifiers maximum output voltages would beautomatically scaled/constrained to 10V and 7.07V, respectively. Inpractice, intelligent power allocation/steering can also be achieved byhaving ACS App 128 and DSP 212 implement a limiter to constrain themaximum volume of any given loudspeaker 216.

The third power allocation mode to be addressed is “direct assignment.”Power can also be intentionally distributed substantially evenly orunevenly through a process referred to as “direct assignment.” Accordingto aspects of the embodiments, determining that one or more PLAs 114 areproperly connected, and then determining loudspeaker impedances andpower ratings using the encoding process described above allows ACS App128 to allocate power unevenly between ALA 112 and n-number of similaror dissimilar PLAs 114 (e.g., three 80 PLAs 114, or two 80 PLAs 114 andone 120 PLAs 114). According to aspects of the embodiments, therefor,the audio stream can be tailored to result in different amounts of powerbeing delivered to different PLAs 114 based on their impedances andpower ratings. In this manner, ACS App 128 can maximize the power sentto each loudspeaker 216 in respective PLAs 114 and substantiallyminimize the possibility of over-driving loudspeakers, therebypreventing damage and extending their lifetime.

In practice, uneven steering can be achieved by having ACS App 128 andDSP 212 implement a limiter to constrain the maximum power of any givenspeaker. Furthermore, as with intelligent power allocation/steering, notquite all available power can be sent to loudspeakers 216, as ALA 112comprises processors and converters, which, due to finite efficiency,consume some power themselves. As a result, the actual power deliveredto the loudspeakers 216, wherever they are located, will be somewhatless the total input power received.

FIG. 4 is flowchart of method 400 to set up ADS 100 as shown in FIG. 1according to aspects of the embodiments. Method 400 begins with methodstep 402 in which ADS 100 is installed in one or more areas ofenterprise location 102 of some type of enterprise entity. An enterpriseentity can be virtually any type of building—residential, commercial, orgovernment, among other types. In method step 402, one or more ALAs 112can be installed, along with one or more PLAs 114, interconnected byethernet cables 106 (method step 404), along with at least ASC 110 (withApp 128), and optionally MED 118, PC 120, external audio source 122 andnetwork server 108. Depending on the type of audio to be played, therewill be at least one type of audio source, which can include one or moremicrophones, or external audio source 122, or a source obtained vianetwork system 104, or some type of audio stored on PC 120.

In method step 406, a user opens ACS App 128 to begin the installationverification and system set up process. IP addresses of each of the ALAs112 and PLAs are either found or entered into App 128, and in methodstep 408, the user, through ACS App 128, begins the interconnectionverification process, as well as the ALA 112 and PLA 114 identificationprocess. In the former, the interconnection verification process, ACSApp 128 queries each ALA 112 to determine if one or more properlyconnected PLAs 114 are connected to it. ACS App 128 sends a request toeach ALA 112 to report back whether there are any valid PLA connectionstatus signals 228; the user can then check that against thespecification used to install ADS 100 to verify all, some, or none ofthe expected PLAs 114 have been properly connected. By way of anon-limiting example, if there are ten ALAs 112 a-j, and each has twoPLAs 114 connected to them, but ALA 112 h is reporting only one PLA 114,then the installers know that one ethernet cable 106 has been installedto the wrong device or omitted altogether.

In method step 408, method 400 can also determine, for each ALA 114 thatis properly connected, the impedance and maximum power rating for eachloudspeaker 216 that comprises PLA 114, as discussed above in regard toTable I.

As described above, ACS 128 can not only determine the impedances ofeach loudspeaker in each correctly attached PLA 114, but also, throughuse of the digitized status signal V_(status(D)) 308 (as shown in TableI), the power rating for each loudspeaker 216. The determination of thenumber of loudspeakers, their respective impedances, and respectivepower ratings, allows ACS 128 and the user(s) to determine a power mode,which was described above, and below in regard to FIG. 5 , and methodstep 516. Such power operating modes include power handling, intelligentpower allocation/steering, and direct assignment.

In method step 410 (which is optional), ACS App 128 generates a mapillustrating the location of each ALA 112 and/or PLA 114, which alsoincludes the IP addresses of each ALA 112 and PLA 114, and other notes,as necessary. At this point, set up of ADS 100 can be consideredcomplete. Method 500, discussed below, describes additional steps fortesting and setting up an operation mode.

Following successful verification of an installation (i.e., completionof Method 400), ADS 100 is ready to be used as described in regard toMethod 500, discussed below.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 for using ADS 100 shown in FIG. 1according to aspects of the embodiments. Method 500 begins with methodstep 502 in which one or more users open ACS App 128. In method step504, the user selects either “Test” or “Operations.” Following selectionof Test in method decision step 504, method 500 proceeds to method step506 in which the user is asked to pick which ALA 112 or PLA 114 to test,i.e., to verify the interconnection and identity. Alternatively, theuser can select an option to verify interconnections for all of the PLAs114 connected to ALAs 112.

Then, in method step 508, the user of ACS App 128 can select which onesof the connected ALAs 112 and PLAs 114 to identify, or, alternatively,can require ACS App 128 to identify all of the interconnected ALAs 112and PLAs 114. As described above, each ALA 112 and PLA 114 can have aunique visual identifier and a unique aural identifier. By way offurther example, an aural identifier can include a voice generated byartificial intelligence algorithms that “speaks” the IP address and/orlocation and/or some other description of the ALA 112 or PLA 114according to aspects of the embodiments. In decision step 510, method500 and ACS App 128 determines whether the user is finished withtesting. If the user is not finished with testing (“No” path fromdecision step 510), method 500 returns to method step 506, and if theuser is finished with testing (“Yes” path from decision step 510), thenmethod 500 returns to method decision step 504, wherein the user can, ifdesired, select “Operations.”

After the user selects “Operations” in method step 504, ACS App 128, andmethod 500 proceed to step 512, in which the user selects one or moreALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 to activate or program. In method step 514, theuser selects an audio source for the selected ALA 112 and/or PLA 114;According to aspects of the embodiments, such audio sources can beselected from a list of audio sources that ACS App 128 finds uponloading or opening, or the user can search for and select the audiosources. According to further aspects of the embodiments, ACS App 128lists one or more different external music sources such as Spotify®,iTunes®, and the like, as well as input ports that might be connected toexternal audio sources such as a microphone or compact disc player, orradio, and the like.

According to aspects of the embodiments, there can be more than oneaudio source for one ADS 100, with different audio sources for differentALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114. For example, a microphone can be used for ALAs112 and/or PLAs 114 that are centered over where people tend tocongregate, and for other ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 music can be playingeven if others are broadcasting voice.

In method step 516, the user selects an operating mode for each ALA 112and/or PLA 14: intelligent power allocation/steering, power handling, ordirect assignment. According to aspects of the embodiments, theselection of the three modes can be the same for each ALA/PLA set, orcan be individually assigned through use of ACS App 128. In the lattercase, if there were four ALA/PLA sets, each could be assigned adifferent power operating mode, two could be the same and the other twodifferent, and other combinations.

Following method step 516, method 500 proceeds to decision step 518. Indecision step 518, method 500 asks the user whether any other ALAs 112and/or PLAs 114 need to be programmed. If no more loudspeaker assemblies(LSAs) need to be programmed (“No” path from decision step 518), thenmethod 500 returns to method step 504 and awaits further input. If moreLSAs need to be programmed (“Yes” path from decision step 518), thenmethod 500 returns to method step 512.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a computer processing device thatcan substantially represent the components and functionality of ASC 110,network server 108, PC 120, MED 118 (to some extent, as those of skillin the art can appreciate), and ALA controller 210 (herein aftercollectively referred to as “controller”) 110/210 suitable for use toimplement method 500, 600 for setting up and operating ADS 100 as shownin FIG. 1 according to aspects of the embodiments. Controller 110/210comprises, among other items, shell/box 601, integrateddisplay/touch-screen 602 (though not used in every application ofcontroller 110/210, internal data/command bus (bus) 604, processorboard/PC internal memory (internal memory) 632, and one or moreprocessors 608 with processor internal memory 606 (which can betypically read only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory (RAM)).Those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that in modern PCsystems, parallel processing is becoming increasingly prevalent, andwhereas a single processor would have been used in the past to implementmany or at least several functions, it is more common currently to havea single dedicated processor for certain functions (e.g., digital signalprocessors) and therefore could be several processors, acting in serialand/or parallel, as required by the specific application. Controller110/210 further comprises multiple input/output ports, such as universalserial bus ports 610, Ethernet ports 611, and video graphics array (VGA)ports/high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) ports 622, among othertypes. Further, controller 110/210 includes externally accessible drivessuch as compact disk (CD)/digital video disk (DVD) read/write (RW)(CD/DVD/RW) drive 612, and floppy diskette drive 614 (though less usedcurrently, many PCs still include this device). Controller 110/210 stillfurther includes wireless communication apparatus, such as one or moreof the following: Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BlueTooth (BT) transceiver 644,near field communications (NFC) transceiver 646, third generation(3G)/fourth Generation (4G)/long term evolution (LTE)/fifth generation(5G)/sixth generation (6G) (cellular) transceiver 648, communicationssatellite/global positioning system (satellite) transceiver 650, andantenna 652.

Internal memory 632 itself can comprise hard disk drive (HDD) 616 (thesecan include conventional magnetic storage media, but, as is becomingincreasingly more prevalent, can include flash drive memory 634, amongother types), read-only memory (ROM) 618 (these can include electricallyerasable (EE) programmable ROM (EEPROMs), ultra-violet erasable PROMs(UVPROMs), among other types), and random access memory (RAM) 620.Usable with USB port 610 is flash drive memory 634, and usable withCD/DVD/RW drive 612 are CD/DVD disks 636 (which can be both read andwrite-able). Usable with floppy diskette drive 614 are floppy diskettes638. External memory storage 624 can be used to store data and programsexternal to box 601 of controller 110/210, and can itself compriseanother hard disk drive 616 a, flash drive memory 634, among other typesof memory storage. External memory storage 624 is connectable tocontroller 110/210 via USB cable 656. Each of the memory storagedevices, or the memory storage media (606, 616, 618, 620, 624, 634, 636,and 638, among others), can contain parts or components, or in itsentirety, executable software programming code or application(application, or “App”) ACS App 128, which can implement part or all ofthe portions of methods 500, 600 described herein.

In addition to the above described components, controller 110/210 alsocomprises keyboard 628, external display 626, printer/scanner/faxmachine 660, and mouse 630 (although not technically part of controller110/210, the peripheral components as shown in FIGS. 6 (622, 624, 626,628, 630, 634, 636, 638, 656, 658, and 660) are so well known andadapted for use with controller 110/210 that for purposes of thisdiscussion they shall be considered as being part of controller110/210). Other cable types that can be used with controller 110/210include RS 232, among others, not shown, that can be used for one ormore of the connections between controller 110/210 and the peripheralcomponents described herein. Keyboard 628, mouse 630, andprinter/scanner/fax machine 660 are connectable to controller 110/210via USB cable 56, and external display 626 is connectible to controller110/210 via VGA cable/HDMI cable 625. controller 110/210 is connectibleto internet 654 via Ethernet port 611 and Ethernet cable 658 via arouter and modulator-demodulator (MODEM), neither of which are shown inFIG. 6 . All of the immediately aforementioned components (622, 624,626, 628, 630, 634, 636, 638, 656, 658, and 660) are known to those ofordinary skill in the art, and this description includes all known andfuture variants of these types of devices.

External display 626 can be any type of known display or presentationscreen, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diodedisplays (LEDs), plasma displays, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), amongothers. In addition to the user interface mechanism such as mouse 630,controller 110/210 can further include a microphone, touch pad,joystick, touch screen, voice-recognition system, among otherinter-active inter-communicative devices/programs, which can be used toenter data and voice, and which all of are known to those of skill inthe art and thus a detailed discussion thereof has been omitted infulfillment of the dual purposes of clarity and brevity.

As mentioned above, controller 110/210 further comprises a plurality ofwireless transceiver devices, such as Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BTtransceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648,satellite transceiver device 650, and antenna 652. While each of Wi-Fitransceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6GLTE transceiver 648, and satellite transceiver device 650 has their ownspecialized functions, each can also be used for other types ofcommunications, such as accessing a cellular service provider (notshown), accessing internet 654, texting, emailing, among other types ofcommunications and data/voice transfers/exchanges, as known to those ofskill in the art. Each of Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFCtransceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, satellite transceiverdevice 650 includes a transmitting and receiving device, and aspecialized antenna, although in some instances, one antenna can beshared by one or more of Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFCtransceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, and satellitetransceiver device 650. Alternatively, one or more of Wi-Fi transceiver642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTEtransceiver 648, and satellite transceiver device 650 will have aspecialized antenna, such as satellite transceiver device 650 to whichis electrically connected at least one antenna 652.

In addition, controller 110/210 can access network system/internet 104,either through a hard wired connection such as Ethernet port N11 asdescribed above, or wirelessly via Wi-Fi transceiver 642, 3G/4G/5G/6GLTE transceiver 648 and/or satellite transceiver 650 (and theirrespective antennas) according to an embodiment. controller 110/210 canalso be part of a larger network configuration as in a global areanetwork (GAN) (e.g., internet 104), which ultimately allows connectionto various landlines.

According to further embodiments, integrated touch screen display 602,keyboard 628, mouse 630, and external display 626 (if in the form of atouch screen), can provide a means for a user to enter commands, data,digital, and analog information into controller 110/210. Integrated andexternal displays 602, 626 can be used to show visual representations ofacquired data, and the status of applications that can be running, amongother things.

Bus 604 provides a data/command pathway for items such as: the transferand storage of data/commands between processor 608, Wi-Fi transceiver642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTEtransceiver 648, satellite transceiver device 650, integrated display602, USB port 610, Ethernet port 611, VGA/HDMI port 622, CD/DVD/RW drive612, floppy diskette drive 614, and internal memory 632. Through bus604, data can be accessed that is stored in internal memory 632.Processor 608 can send information for visual display to either or bothof integrated and external displays 602, 626, and the user can sendcommands to system operating programs, software, and ACS App 128 thatcan reside in processor internal memory 606 of processor 608, or any ofthe other memory devices (636, 638, 616, 618, and 620).

Controller 110/210, and either processor internal memory 606 or internalmemory 632, can be used to implement methods 500, 600 for setting up andoperating ADS 100 according to aspects of the embodiments. Hardware,firmware, software, or a combination thereof may be used to perform thevarious steps and operations described herein. According to anembodiment, ACS App 128 for carrying out the above discussed steps canbe stored and distributed on multi-media storage devices such as devices616, 618, 620, 634, 636 and/or 638 (described above) or other form ofmedia capable of portably storing information. Storage media 634, 636and/or 638 can be inserted into, and read by devices such as USB port610, CD/DVD/RW drive 612, and disk drives 614, respectively.

As also will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the variousfunctional aspects of the embodiments may be embodied in a wirelesscommunication device, a telecommunication network, or as a method or ina computer program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combininghardware and software aspects. Further, the embodiments may take theform of a computer program product stored on a computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. Anysuitable computer-readable medium may be utilized, including hard disks,CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), optical storage devices, ormagnetic storage devices such a floppy disk or magnetic tape. Othernon-limiting examples of computer-readable media include flash-typememories or other known types of memories.

Further, those of ordinary skill in the art in the field of theembodiments can appreciate that such functionality can be designed intovarious types of circuitry, including, but not limited to fieldprogrammable gate array structures (FPGAs), application specificintegrated circuitry (ASICs), microprocessor based systems, among othertypes. A detailed discussion of the various types of physical circuitimplementations does not substantively aid in an understanding of theembodiments, and as such has been omitted for the dual purposes ofbrevity and clarity. However, as well known to those of ordinary skillin the art, the systems and methods discussed herein can be implementedas discussed, and can further include programmable devices.

Such programmable devices and/or other types of circuitry as previouslydiscussed can include a processing unit, a system memory, and a systembus that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit. The system bus can be any of several types ofbus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.Furthermore, various types of computer readable media can be used tostore programmable instructions. Computer readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by the processing unit. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer readable media can comprisecomputer storage media and communication media. Computer storage mediaincludes volatile and nonvolatile as well as removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM,digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information, and which can be accessed by the processing unit.Communication media can embody computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signalsuch as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and can include anysuitable information delivery media.

The system memory can include computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and/orrandom access memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS),containing the basic routines that help to transfer information betweenelements connected to and between the processor, such as duringstart-up, can be stored in memory. The memory can also contain dataand/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/orpresently being operated on by the processing unit. By way ofnon-limiting example, the memory can also include an operating system,application programs, other program modules, and program data.

The processor can also include other removable/non-removable andvolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. For example, the processorcan access a hard disk drive that reads from or writes to non-removable,nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive that reads from orwrites to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk, and/or an optical diskdrive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile opticaldisk, such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage mediathat can be used in the operating environment include, but are notlimited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digitalversatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROMand the like. A hard disk drive can be connected to the system busthrough a non-removable memory interface such as an interface, and amagnetic disk drive or optical disk drive can be connected to the systembus by a removable memory interface, such as an interface.

The embodiments discussed herein can also be embodied ascomputer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium. Thecomputer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recordingmedium and a computer-readable transmission medium. Thecomputer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that canstore data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examplesof the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs and generally optical datastorage devices, magnetic tapes, flash drives, and floppy disks. Thecomputer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over networkcoupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is storedand executed in a distributed fashion. The computer-readabletransmission medium can transmit carrier waves or signals (e.g., wired,or wireless data transmission through the Internet). Also, functionalprograms, codes, and code segments to, when implemented in suitableelectronic hardware, accomplish or support exercising certain elementsof the appended claims can be readily construed by programmers skilledin the art to which the embodiments pertains.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of network system 104 within whichADS 100 methods 500, 600 for setting up and operating ADS 100 as shownin FIG. 1 can be implemented according to aspects of the embodiments.

Much of the infrastructure of network system 104 shown in FIG. 7 is orshould be known to those of skill in the art, and therefore, infulfillment of the dual purposes of clarity and brevity, a detaileddiscussion thereof shall be omitted.

According to aspects of the embodiments, a user of the above describedsystem and method can store ACS App 128 on their ASC 110 and PC 120, aswell as on MED 118. MEDs 118 can include, but are not limited to,so-called smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, notebook,and laptop computers, and essentially any device that can access theinternet and/or cellular phone service or can facilitate transfer of thesame type of data in either a wired or wireless manner.

MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can access cellular service provider 714,either through a wireless connection (cellular tower 720) or via awireless/wired interconnection (a “Wi-Fi” system that comprises, e.g.,modulator/demodulator (modem) 708, wireless router 710, internet serviceprovider (ISP) 706, and internet 1822). Further, MED 118 can includenear field communication (NFC), “Wi-Fi,” and Bluetooth (BT)communications capabilities as well, all of which are known to those ofskill in the art. To that end, network system 104 further includes, asmany businesses (and homes) do, one or more PCs 120 (as well as ASC 110)that can be connected to wireless router 710 via a wired connection(e.g., modem 708) or via a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth). Modem708 can be connected to ISP 706 to provide internet-based communicationsin the appropriate format to end users (e.g., MED 118, ASC 110, PC 120),and which takes signals from the end users and forwards them to ISP 706.Such communication pathways are well known and understand by those ofskill in the art, and a further detailed discussion thereof is thereforeunnecessary.

MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can also access global positioning system(GPS) satellite 728, which is controlled by GPS station 724, to obtainpositioning information (which can be useful for different aspects ofthe embodiments), or MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can obtain positioninginformation via cellular service provider 714 using cellular tower(s)720 according to one or more methods of position determination. Some MED118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can also access communication satellites 718and their respective satellite communication systems control stations726 (the satellite in FIG. 7 is shown common to both communications andGPS functions) for near-universal communications capabilities, albeit ata much higher cost than convention “terrestrial” cellular services. MED118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can also obtain positioning information whennear or internal to a building (or arena/stadium) through the use of oneor more of NFC/BT devices. FIG. 7 also illustrates other components ofnetwork system 104 such as plain old telephone service (POTS) provider712.

According to further aspects of the embodiments, and as described above,network system 104 interfaces with network server 108 that can includeACS App 128, wherein one or more processors, using known and understoodtechnology, such as memory, data and instruction buses, and otherelectronic devices, can store and implement code that can implement thesystem and method for setting up and operating ADS 100 according toaspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates Main Menu window (window) 800 that is a graphicaluser interface (GUI) with several interactive GUIs (806, 808, 810) thatcall out certain functions that are shown on monitor screen (screen) 802when generated by ACS App 128 when executed in memory (e.g., memory 126)using one or more processors (e.g., processor 124) according to aspectsof the embodiments.

GUIs are a human-computer interface (i.e., a way for humans to interactwith computers) in the form of window, icons, menus, and buttons thatcan be manipulated by inactive pointer 812 associated with use of mouse630 (and often to a limited extent by keyboard 628 as well). GUIs standin sharp contrast to command line interfaces (CLIs), which use only textand are accessed solely by a keyboard. The most familiar example of aCLI to many people is MS-DOS, or some modes of Linux.

As those of skill in the art can windows are contained portions of ascreen 802 that can display its contents (e.g., a program, icons, a textfile, or an image) seemingly independently of the rest of the screen802. Icons can also be a GUI. A significant feature of GUIs is theability for multiple windows to be open simultaneously. Each window candisplay a different application/program, or each can display differentfiles (e.g., text, image(s), or other types of files/documents) thathave been opened or created with a single application.

An icon is a small picture or symbol in a GUI that represents a program(or command), a file, a directory, or a device (such as a hard disk orfloppy). Icons can be used both on a desktop and within applicationprograms. Those of skill in the art are familiar with the term “desktop”which represents screen 802 when either no other programs are open, oropen programs have been minimized or less than full screen.

Commands are issued in a GUI by using a mouse, trackball, or touchpad tofirst move inactive pointer 812 on screen 802 to, or on top of, an icon,menu item, or window of interest in order to select that object. Then,for example, icons and windows can be moved by dragging (moving themouse with the held down) and objects or programs can be opened byclicking on their icons. In addition, GUIs can include fields forentering data, and buttons for saving the entered data.

As those of skill in the art can appreciate, there are severaladvantages to the use of GUIs. One substantive advantage of the use ofGUIs is that they make computer operation more intuitive, and thuseasier to learn and use. For example, it is much easier for a new userto move a file from one directory to another by dragging its icon withthe mouse than by having to remember and type seemingly arcane commandsto accomplish the same task.

Adding to this intuitiveness of operation is the fact that GUIsgenerally provide users with immediate, visual feedback about the effectof each action. For example, when a user deletes an icon representing afile, the icon immediately disappears, confirming that the file has beendeleted (or at least sent to a “trash can”). This contrasts with thesituation for a CLI, in which the user types a delete command (inclusiveof the name of the file to be deleted) but receives no automaticfeedback indicating that the file has actually been removed.

In addition, GUIs allow users to take full advantage of the powerfulmultitasking (the ability for multiple programs and/or multipleinstances of single programs to run simultaneously) capabilities ofmodern operating systems by allowing such multiple programs and/orinstances to be displayed simultaneously. The result is a large increasein the flexibility of computer use and a consequent rise in userproductivity.

However, as those of the skill in the art can further appreciate, GUIshave become much more than a mere convenience. GUIs have also become thestandard in human-computer interaction, and it has influenced the workof a generation of computer users. Moreover, it has led to thedevelopment of new types of applications and entire new industries. Anexample is desktop publishing, which has revolutionized (and partlywiped out) the traditional printing and typesetting industry.

Despite the great convenience of GUIs however, system administrators andother advanced users tend to prefer the CLI for many operations becauseit is frequently more convenient and generally more powerful. OnUnix-like operating systems for example, GUIs are actually justattractive, convenient coverings for command line programs (i.e.,programs which operate from a CLI), and they rely on them for theiroperation.

One of the great attractions of Unix-like operating systems is that theyhave maintained their CLI capabilities while continuing to improve theirGUIs, thereby allowing advanced users to harness the full power of thecomputer while simultaneously making it easier for beginning andintermediate users. In contrast, the newer versions of Microsoft Windowshave downgraded their CLIs to a marginal role, at best.

FIG. 8 illustrates “Main Menu” window 800 shown in screen 802, wherein“Main Menu” window 800 comprises “Find Existing ALA-PLA Set” (Find) GUI806, “Aural/Visual Identification” 808, and “Run/Operate Audio System”GUI 810. Inactive pointer 812 is shown as an arrow, and when it isplaced over a GUI, it transitions to active pointer 814, showing theuser that one or more functions can occur if the user selects of“clicks” on the GUI active pointer 814 is located on. Each of GUIs 806,808, and 810 will be discussed in turn.

FIG. 9 illustrates a graphical user interface to operate a “FindExisting Active Loudspeaker Assemblies (ALA) & Passive LoudspeakerAssemblies (PLA) Set(s)” function when Find GUI 806 as shown in FIG. 8is clicked by a user, through use of ACS App 128 according to aspects ofthe embodiments. Referring now to FIG. 9 , when a user selects Find GUI806 with active pointer 814, “Find” window 900 opens on screen 802through operation of ADS App 128 according to aspects of theembodiments, and ACS App 128 attempts to find all of the attached ALAs112 and PLAs 114 (formed as ALA-PLA sets), generating “Display ALA-PLAName-Addresses” field 910 according to aspects of the embodiments. Thus,a user can find all of the ALAs 112 and PLAs 114 connected to ASC 110.As shown in FIG. 9 , a sequential number is assigned to each ALA 112 asit is discovered, and its internet protocol (IP) address is obtained aswell. Each PLA 114 that is connected to the respective ALA 112 is alsofound, in the manner as described above, forming an ALA-PLA set. The IPaddresses of the PLAs 114 is also obtained, stored, and displayed, asshown in “Display ALA-PLA Name-Addresses” field 910. The interconnectionbetween an ALA 112 and multiple PLAs is shown graphically in the mannershown in FIG. 9 (or in some other manner as long as it indicates whichPLA 114 is assigned to (or belongs to) a respective ALA 112). “Find”window 900 further includes “Generate Map?” button 904, “Save” Button906, “Edit” button 908, and “Return to Main Menu” button 914.

Clicking on “Save” button 906 in FIG. 9 by a user, with a name in “Nameof Audio System” field 902, causes ACS App 128 to save the informationacquired by ACS App 128 and shown in “Display ALA-PLA Name-Addresses”field 910. Such information includes the IP addresses and assigned nameof the ALA-PLA set. This information is then used for other operations,as described below. The user can then click on “Return to Main Menu”button 914 to return to “Main Menu” window 800 as shown in FIG. 8 .

As described above, aspects of the embodiments can verify whether a PLA114 is properly connected to an ALA 112 or whether some other devicethat is not a PLA 114 is connected to the respective ALA 112, as well asdetermining the impedance and maximum power ratings of loudspeakers in aproperly connected PLA 114. If there are misconnections of any manner,whether it is an improper device or broken/bad ethernet cable 106, suchinformation is shown in “Error Reports” field 912 according to aspectsof the embodiments. According to further aspects of the embodiments,when an ALA 112 is found to be connected to ASC 110, and its IP addressobtained, a serial/model number can also be obtained, and configurationinformation for ALA 112 can be determined by ACS App 128 according toaspects of the embodiments. Such configuration information can includeoutput power, how many ALAs 114 can be connected to the respective PLA,among other types of information.

For example, a first ALA 112 #1 can be connected to ASC 110. Once FindGUI 806 was clicked on, it could be determined that ALA 112 #1 was a 50dB amplifier with four outputs for connection to four different PLAs.PLAs 114 #1 and #2 could be found to be properly connected, but a thirdconnection was made to a different type of device, and the fourth cablewas broken. Thus, “Error Reports” field 912 could show two “problem” orimproper connections, and “Display ALA-PLA Names/Addresses” field 910would show the two properly connected PLAs 114 #1 and #2 connected tothe ALA 112. Once all of the ALAs 112 and PLAs 114 (if any) have beenidentified, the user can click on the “Save” button to save theconfiguration in memory 126 of ASC 110.

A user can also assign a name to the audio system in “Name of AudioSystem” field 902 and save it via “Save” button 906. Once saved, theuser can change the name if desired through use of “Edit” button 908.Any time one or more ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 are swapped out, the FindGUI 806 can be clicked on and find functions run again to update theconfiguration of the audio system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a graphical user interface to operate a “VerifyConnection Status” function when Aural/Visual Identification GUI 808 asshown in FIG. 8 is clicked by a user through use of ACS App 128according to aspects of the embodiments. “Aural/Visual Identification”window 1000 is shown in FIG. 10 , that results when Aural/VisualIdentification GUI 808 is clicked in window 800. “Aural/VisualIdentification” 1000 includes “Select ALA-PLA Set” field 1016, with“ALA-PLA” pulldown button 1018. When ACS App 128 opens “Aural/VisualIdentification” 1000 after a user clicks on “Aural/VisualIdentification” GUI 808 in window 800, all of the known ALA-PLA sets arelisted (shown in “Loudspeaker Assembly” list 1002). There are fourcolumns of buttons, which are labeled: “Aural Test” column of buttons1004, “Visual Test” column of buttons 1006, “Aural & Visual Test” columnof buttons 1008, and “Run Test” column of buttons 1010. The user canclick the boxes depending on the type of test they want to run for eachALA-PLA set. For example, if the user wants to run an aural test toidentify ALA(1) and its associated PLAs, the user would click the box incolumn 1004 that corresponds to ALA(1) and then the box in column 1010to run the test. If the test is successful, the user can then click thecorresponding box in column 1012 (“Pass” column of buttons 1012) thatrecords the result as successful, or if not successful, click the box incolumn 1014 (“Fail” column of buttons 1014).

Following execution of any of the aural and/or visual tests, the usercan save the test results by clicking “Save” button 906, and then returnto the “Main Menu” window 800 by clicking “Return to Main Menu” button914.

FIG. 11 illustrates a graphical user interface to operate a “Run AudioSystem” function when Run/Operate Audio System GUI 810 as shown in FIG.8 is clicked by a user through use of ACS App 128 according to aspectsof the embodiments. FIG. 11 includes “Run Audio System” window 1100 onscreen 802, “Select PLA-ALA Set” field 1016, “List of Known IP BasedAudio Providers” field 1102, “Power Operating Mode Selection” column ofbuttons 1104 a-c, Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Programs” list 1106a-c, “Save” button 906, “Set-up Power Level(s) for Direct Assignment”button 1110, and “Return to Main Menu” button 914.

Once at “Run Audio System” window 1100 on screen 802, as shown in FIG.11 , a user first selects a first ALA-PLA set to program and run from apull-down list in “Name of Audio System” field 902; once a first ALA-PLAset has been selected, the user can then select an audio source in “Listof Known IP Based Audio Providers” field 1102. Following selection ofthe audio source, the user then determines what power operating mode theALA-PLA set is to operate within through user of “Power Operating ModeSelection” buttons 1104 a,b,c.

If the user selects “Intelligent Power Allocation/Steering” button 1104a, the selected ALA-PLA set will operate under an intelligent powerallocation/steering mode of operation (once the operating mode issaved). The user can (optionally) select a DSP program from a pull-downlist in “DSP Programs” field 1106 to use to process the audio from theselected audio source, or a default DSP program can be used, or the lastDSP program selected can be used to process the selected audio.

If the user clicks on “Power Handling” button 1104 b, the selectedALA-PLA set will operate under a power handling mode of operation. Ifthe user clicks on “Direct Assignment” button 1104 c, the selectedALA-PLA set will operate under a direct assignment of power mode ofoperation.

Following selection of the DSP program, the user can then save thesettings for the selected ALA-PLA by clicking on “Save” button 906.Following selection and set-up of any of the ALA-PLA sets, the user canreturn to the “Main Menu” window 800 by clicking “Return to Main Menu”button 914.

According to aspects of the embodiments, each of the power operatingmodes has their own pull down list of DSP programs, as there may beconstraints in DSP operations that are dependent on the power operatingparadigms, though that need not necessarily be the case.

If the user selects “Power Operating Mode Selection” button 1104 c, the“Direct Assignment” mode of operation, the settings will not be saveduntil the user clicks on “Set Up Power Level” button 1110, which takesthe user to “Direct Assignment Power Operating Mode Setup” window 1200,as shown in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 12 illustrates a GUI to program an ALA-PLA set using a directassignment power operating mode through use of ACS App according toaspects of the embodiments. “Direct Assignment Power Operating ModeSetup” window 1200 is shown in FIG. 12 . “Loudspeaker Located inSelected ALA-PLA” field 1202 lists all of the loudspeakers 216 locatedin each of the ALAs 112 and PLAs 114 that comprise the selected ALA-PLAset. For each loudspeaker 216, there is an “Output Level” slide bar1204, in which the user can change the power assigned to the respectiveloudspeaker 216; according to aspects of the embodiments, ACS App 128has acquired the total power available for each ALA-PLA Set, and alsothe maximum power allowed for the respective loudspeaker 216, so that nomore than the maximum allowed power can be sent to the respectiveloudspeaker 216. Further, should any power setting for any respectiveloudspeaker 216 cause the maximum allotted power for the ALA-PLA set beexceeded, ACS App 128 will limit the maximum power to be allotted to therespective loudspeaker 216. To assist the user in keeping track of themaximum available power allotted for each ALA-PLA set, “Total PowerRemaining in ALA-PLA Set” window 1206 displays the total power availableand the power remaining to be allotted.

Thus, by way of a non-limiting example, if there were 25 W available and4 loudspeakers—each rated at 8 W maximum power each, and no loudspeakershad yet to be set up, then 25 W would be shown to be available. Furtherif the user allotted the maximum to each loudspeaker in turn, “TotalPower Remaining in ALA-PLA Set” window 1206 would show 25 W available,then 17 W available, then 9 W available, then 1 W available. The lastloudspeaker would only be able to get 1 W.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical user interface generated by the ACS Appwhen the “Generate Map?” interactive button 904 shown in FIG. 9 isactivated by a user according to aspects of the embodiments.

If the user clicks on the “Generate Map? button 904 in “Find” window900, as shown in FIG. 9 , ACS App 128 accesses one or more databaseswith information pertaining to the enterprise location and selectedALA-PLA set, generates a map view of the room(s) wherein the selectedALA-PLA set is located, and opens “Selected ALA-PLA Map View” window1300 to display the map (an example of which is shown in FIG. 13 )according to aspects of the embodiments. The map view also shows “Nameof Room” field 1302 to display an assigned name, if one is available, aswell as large furniture such as table 1304.

The disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for setting up andoperating ADS 100. It should be understood that this description is notintended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments areintended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, whichare included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined bythe appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of theembodiments, numerous specific details are set forth to provide acomprehensive understanding of the claimed embodiments. However, oneskilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may bepracticed without such specific details.

This application may contain material that is subject to copyright, maskwork, and/or other intellectual property protection. The respectiveowners of such intellectual property have no objection to the facsimilereproduction of the disclosure by anyone as it appears in publishedPatent Office file/records, but otherwise reserve all rights.

The disclosed embodiments provide systems, methods, and modes forgenerating a visual indicator to identify a location of a ceilingmounted loudspeaker in an audio distribution system. It should beunderstood that this description is not intended to limit theembodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in thespirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understandingof the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art wouldunderstand that various embodiments may be practiced without suchspecific details.

Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments aredescribed being in particular combinations, each feature or element canbe used alone, without the other features and elements of theembodiments, or in various combinations with or without other featuresand elements disclosed herein.

This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosedto enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, includingmaking and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by theclaims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled inthe art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of theclaims.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in allrespects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus, theembodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementationthat can be derived from the description contained herein by a personskilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in thedescription of the present application should be construed as criticalor essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such.Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or moreitems.

All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, andpublications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

To solve the aforementioned problems, the aspects of the embodiments aredirected towards systems, methods, and modes for generating a visualindicator to identify a location of a ceiling mounted loudspeaker in anaudio distribution system.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the different aspects of the embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for generating a visual indicator in aloudspeaker to identify a location of the loudspeaker in a room,comprising: at least two loudspeaker assemblies, each of which areadapted to receive digitally encoded audio signals and other digitalsignals, each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies having a uniquedigital address and each comprising at least one loudspeaker; at leastone processor communicatively coupled to each of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies; an input device communicatively coupled to theat least one processor; and a memory operatively connected with the atleast one processor, wherein the memory stores computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to execute a method that comprises: receivingan input from the input device at the at least one processor, the inputindicating which one of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies toidentify a location thereof; generating a message to be transmitted tothe indicated loudspeaker assembly, wherein the message containscommands and data to generate a visual indicator in the indicatedloudspeaker assembly; transmitting the message to the indicatedloudspeaker assembly; and generating the visual indicator according tothe message at the indicated loudspeaker assembly.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least two loudspeaker assembliescomprises: a first and second loudspeaker assembly communicativelycoupled in parallel to the at least one processor.
 3. The systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the first and second loudspeakerassemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each of which contain atleast one amplifier.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the atleast two loudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and secondloudspeaker assembly communicatively coupled in series to the at leastone processor.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the firstloudspeaker assembly is an active loudspeaker assembly and comprises atleast one amplifier for amplifying audio signals prior to broadcast bythe at least one loudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeakerassembly is a passive loudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audiofrom the active loudspeaker assembly.
 6. The system according to claim1, wherein each of the at least one loudspeakers in the first and secondloudspeaker assemblies are balanced mode radiator loudspeakers.
 7. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:generating a message to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeakerassembly, wherein the message contains commands and data to generate anaudio indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting themessage to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; and playing the audioindicator according to the message at the indicated loudspeakerassembly.
 8. A method for generating a visual indicator in a loudspeakerto identify a location of the loudspeaker in a room, wherein the roomcontains at least two loudspeaker assemblies, the method comprising:receiving an input from an input device at at least one processor, theat least one processor communicatively coupled to each of the at leasttwo loudspeaker assemblies, and a memory operatively connected with theat least one processor, wherein the memory stores computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to execute the method, and wherein the inputindicates which one of at least two loudspeaker assemblies to identify alocation thereof; generating a message to be transmitted to theindicated loudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commandsand data to generate a visual indicator in the indicated loudspeakerassembly; transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeakerassembly; and generating the visual indicator according to the messageat the indicated loudspeaker assembly.
 9. The method according to claim8, wherein the at least two loudspeaker assemblies comprises: a firstand second loudspeaker assembly are communicatively coupled in parallelto the at least one processor.
 10. The method according to claim 9,wherein the first and second loudspeaker assemblies are activeloudspeaker assemblies, each of which contain at least one amplifier.11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies comprise: a first and second loudspeaker assemblycommunicatively coupled in series to the at least one processor.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the first loudspeaker assembly isan active loudspeaker assembly and comprises at least one amplifier foramplifying audio signals prior to broadcast by the at least oneloudspeaker, and wherein the second loudspeaker assembly is a passiveloudspeaker assembly that receives amplified audio from the activeloudspeaker assembly.
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein eachof the at least one loudspeakers in the first and second loudspeakerassemblies are balanced mode radiator loudspeakers.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising: generating a message to betransmitted to the indicated loudspeaker assembly, wherein the messagecontains commands and data to generate an audio indicator in theindicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting the message to theindicated loudspeaker assembly; and playing the audio indicatoraccording to the message at the indicated loudspeaker assembly.
 15. Anaudio distribution system (ADS), comprising: at least two loudspeakerassemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audiosignals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at leastone loudspeaker; and an audio distribution system (ADS) controller, theADS controller comprising: at least one processor communicativelycoupled to each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies; an inputdevice communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and amemory operatively connected with the at least one processor, whereinthe memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executedby the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor toexecute a method that comprises: receiving an input from the inputdevice at the at least one processor, the input indicating which one ofthe at least two loudspeaker assemblies to identify a location thereof;generating a message to be transmitted to the indicated loudspeakerassembly, wherein the message contains commands and data to generate avisual indicator in the indicated loudspeaker assembly; transmitting themessage to the indicated loudspeaker assembly; and generating the visualindicator according to the message at the indicated loudspeakerassembly.
 16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising: anexternal audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADS controller,the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signals to the ADScontroller to be broadcast through at least one of the at least twoloudspeaker assemblies; and a network server communicatively coupled tothe ADS controller and a network, the network server adapted to receivemessages through the network, the messages comprising audio informationto be broadcast through at least one of the at least two loudspeakerassemblies.
 17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the at leasttwo loudspeaker assemblies comprises: a first and second loudspeakerassembly are communicatively coupled in parallel to the at least oneprocessor.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the first andsecond loudspeaker assemblies are active loudspeaker assemblies, each ofwhich contain at least one amplifier.
 19. The system according to claim15, wherein the at least two loudspeaker assemblies comprises: a firstand second loudspeaker assembly are communicatively coupled in series tothe at least one processor.
 20. The system according to claim 19,wherein the first loudspeaker assembly is an active loudspeaker assemblyand comprises at least one amplifier for amplifying audio signals priorto broadcast by the at least one loudspeaker, and wherein the secondloudspeaker assembly is a passive loudspeaker assembly that receivesamplified audio from the active loudspeaker assembly.
 21. The systemaccording to claim 15, wherein each of the at least one loudspeakers inthe first and second loudspeaker assemblies are balanced mode radiatorloudspeakers.
 22. The system according to claim 15, wherein the methodfurther comprises: generating a message to be transmitted to theindicated loudspeaker assembly, wherein the message contains commandsand data to generate an audio indicator in the indicated loudspeakerassembly; transmitting the message to the indicated loudspeakerassembly; and playing the audio indicator according to the message atthe indicated loudspeaker assembly.